Faculty welcome the departure of Laurentian University

Sudbury/Toronto/Ottawa, July 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA), Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) applauded the departure of two of Laurentian University’s most senior directors however warned that the college’s “plan of arrangement” have to be accompanied by school and governance renewal.

“Whether you call it a firing or a retiring, Laurentian’s faculty welcome the departure of the senior administrators who are responsible for plunging the university into crisis, but we need a commitment that the University will correct the mistakes of the past,” mentioned LUFA President Fabrice Colin. “The fallout from the CCAA process has been devastating and it can’t be reversed without a strong faculty complement and a demonstrated commitment to collaborative governance that includes representation from campus unions.”

“We hope this signals the beginning of the end of a very sad and disturbing chapter in the history of Ontario’s universities,” mentioned Susan Wurtele, President of OCUFA. “The Auditor General’s preliminary report made it clear that this crisis was manufactured by bad management from Laurentian’s administration and lack of action from the Ontario Government. This disaster could have been avoided had university faculty been properly included in a transparent and collegial model of governance.”

In February 2020, Laurentian University engaged a Companies Creditor Arrangement Act (CCAA) course of that triggered the largest cuts ever skilled at a Canadian college, together with the cancellation of 69 applications and the loss of practically 200 school and employees positions. The “Plan of Arrangement” filed by Laurentian University to the Superior Court of Justice on Thursday would search to convey the CCAA course of to a detailed, with a gathering of collectors to be held on September 14, 2022.  The announcement got here alongside information of the retirement of Laurentian President Robert Haché and Provost Marie-Josée Berger, to be efficient previous to the college’s emergence from CCAA.

“The news that some of the senior administrators responsible for creating the mess at Laurentian will be departing is a welcomed step in the right direction,” mentioned David Robinson, Executive Director of CAUT. “Under new leadership, the University will need to chart a new course to ensure it operates in a manner that is open, transparent, and accountable to its academic staff, employees, students, and the community of Sudbury. The shocking failures that led Laurentian to the brink cannot be allowed to happen again.”

The announcement of administrative renewal follows a marketing campaign calling on Laurentian Board of Governors Chair Jeff Bangs to terminate the President, Provost, and Rector, together with a collection of calls for designed to help Laurentian’s profitable emergence from the CCAA course of: https://lufappul.ca/wp/?page_id=2857

LUFA was based in 1979 and, previous to CCAA proceedings, represented over 400 full-time and 300 part-time professors at Laurentian University, the University of Sudbury, Huntington University, and Thorneloe University. Today, LUFA represents roughly 250 full-time and 200 part-time professors at Laurentian University. For extra details about LUFA, go to www.lufappul.ca.

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 17,000 school, educational librarians, and different educational professionals in 30 member associations throughout Ontario. It is dedicated to enhancing the high quality of increased schooling in Ontario and recognizing the excellent contributions of its members in direction of making a world-class college system. For details about OCUFA, go to www.ocufa.on.ca.

Founded in 1951, CAUT is the nationwide voice for educational employees representing 72,000 academics, librarians, researchers, normal employees, and different educational professionals at some 125 universities and schools throughout the nation. CAUT is an outspoken defender of educational freedom and works actively in the public curiosity to enhance the high quality and accessibility of post-secondary schooling in Canada. For details about CAUT, go to www.CAUT.ca